Quijano's bill could benefit transgender people, people who may have misplaced documents, college students and seniors. It was introduced on Jan. 9 and was referred to the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.

The license would be restricted and would not be valid identification for federal or out-of-state purposes.

"There are potentially 500,000 people in New Jersey who could gain access to a license," according to Cullinane, who sees it as a public safety issue. Under the bill, Cullinane said more people would become insured, which would reduce rates. The state's coffers would fill with extra license fees as well.

"We're looking forward to working with the new administration to make it happen," Cullinane said.

The key for supporters of the measure is to keep it at the forefront of the governor's agenda.

"In an very unfortunate way, I think it would be hard for anyone to forget it's an issue because of what's going on in Washington, D.C.," Johanna Calle, director of the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said. She believes, given Murphy's vow during the inaugural address to "resist every move from President Trump." it will remain an important issue to him.

Calle said her group is ready to help get the legislation passed and onto Murphy's desk "because this is a big important issue for him and for us."

State Sen. Michael Doherty, R-Warren, does not think giving unauthorized immigrants a license makes sense in a country based on the rule of law.

"We have individuals who are not lawfully in the United States. They did not follow the laws of the United States to enter the country. They do not have a lawful presence here," the member of the state Senate Judiciary Committee said.

"We have a real problem. We can't take care of our own citizens, can't take care of our seniors, cannot take care of our veterans and we're throwing out the welcome mat and saying, 'Come to New Jersey. You can break the law by entering the United States and hey, we'll give you a driver's license,'" Doherty said.